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Monday, July 30, 2007

Weekend Herb Blogging: Lemon Thyme

I was out one evening with a fabulous and worldly uncle. I said something which must have seemed charmingly (I hope!) naïve and dewy-eyed because he turned to me and said, “Oh my god! You are even worse than a hopeless romantic…you’re a hopefulromantic!”

A hopeful romantic? I guess I could do worse…

I suppose it was the hopeful romantic in me that stopped by the plant vendor’s stall at the market to look at the little herb pots. I suppose it was that same hopeful romantic that led me to this little one and to inquire about her with the amiable purveyor. Perhaps it was this hopeful romantic that stubbornly believed I could make things grow in my apartment where I have nary a plant box, much less a balcony, much less a garden…where I can’t even open the windows because of the dust. And I’m sure it was this same hopeful romantic who went ahead and purchased the plant when she heard it was lemon thyme (lemon thyme!) and blithely “forgot” the fact that a thyme plant had suffered tragic death in our flat.

But isn’t she lovely? And she smells wonderful!

Lemon Thyme (thymus citriodorus) is a hybrid thyme that has a gorgeous lemony scent and, I’m assuming, flavor (I haven’t tried it yet!). I think it would get on great with fish and chicken, and just about anything you can imagine both lemon and thyme in. It looks like regular thyme but the leaves are edged with a light yellow border. Like regular thyme, it thrives best in full sun, so I have positioned it on a stool by the window, with the blinds angled to beam the sunshine on it.

If anyone has any tips for caring for this plant your suggestions are exceedingly welcome!

So let’s see…looks pretty, smells good, most likely tastes good, and it’s good for me! Plus I now have an entry for Weekend Herb Blogging*** that actually involves my own herb…which I incidentally bought during the weekend. Now if only it lives long enough for me to be able to harvest a few sprigs, then I’ll have a recipe (or two, or three) to go with it. Here’s hoping!!! :)

19 comments:

When I lived in Andorra, and had a garden the size of a postage stamp, really, the whole thing was less than 1 meter square, I grew my lemon thyme in pots, quite successfuly. It looks like your pot is big enough for it to do well. Let it dry out between waterings and don't be afraid to use it. It'll branch out after you clip it off.I love using the sprigs to stuff whole fish: sliced lemons and lemon thyme. I also use it in sauces, and, you're right, with chicken. It's one of my favorite herbs.

Lovely photo of the lemon thyme. I love the smell of this plant. I think it's relatively easy to grow, especially in a warm place like where you are. Katie has the right idea about snipping off the ends, keep cutting off some to use and you'll get more in the long run.

Besides fish and veggies, I think thyme is also great with a few types of veggies, especially carrots or mushrooms. Have fun! Growing your own herbs is the best.

I love that you're a hopeful romantic, and one who extends her optimism to the plant world no less. :) I wish I had plant care tips to share but as it is I'm barely keeping our Jasmine plant alive in our dark apartment with windows that don't open and no balcony. So uh, can you let me know if you figure something out? lol

I grow this in the garden in summer. When the soil dries out water throughly. All herbs adore full sun so give it as much as you can.

I have used this with honey for two different applications. One with roasted veggies especially carrots. The other was a boneless pork chop that I sauteed with honey and lemon thyme until the honey carmelized. It was very good. I have also used it on fish also very good. Have fun I know you'll enjoy cooking with this herb. Karen